by Dan Arnold
“Uh huh.”
I heard Wes Spradlin was killed. Is that true?”
We were right in front of the livery stable.
“Tom, I need to check on my horse. Have you got a minute to talk?”
“Sure.”
We went through the barn, out to where Dusty was penned. I wished I had an apple or something to give him, but he seemed happy to see me anyway.
I’d chosen this spot because there were no ears to hear us, except Dusty’s, and he never tells my secrets.
I told Tom the whole story.
“I’ve still got that wanna be gunfighter locked up in my jail. I can’t wait to see the look on his face when I tell him Wes Spradlin was killed last night in a gunfight with “Point Blank” Peterson.”
“Do you think he’ll believe it?”
“I expect he will. When the story makes the papers, he’ll believe it then.”
”“Now there’s an idea. I believe I’ll stop by the newspaper office and give Jerry Starnes a statement about the shooting.”
“I’ll go along with you. I want to see how he reacts.”
***
We found publisher Starnes pounding away on a typewriter. He was proud of the fact he owned a typewriter and insisted on using it for all his correspondence with anyone and everyone.
“Gentlemen, how may I help you?” He asked.
“You know Mr. Starnes, when I was out in San Francisco; the Pacific Bell Telephone Company was stringing lines all over the city. I read your story in The Banner about how down in Denver there’s quite a buzz going about telephone systems and how soon there will be a full telephone system in Denver. They say they already have one in Colorado Springs.”
“I am well aware of that, Sheriff Sage, What’s your point?”
“Oh, just that it’s a real shame we don’t have telephone lines between here and North Fork.”
“And why is that, sir?”
“Well if we did, you would’ve already heard about the big gun fight up there last night.”
“What, when did this happen? Hang on a minute.”
He ripped out the page he had been typing on and wound a new sheet into the typewriter.
“Ok, now let’s establish the facts. Who, what, where, when, and why this time, Sheriff? It seems wherever you go, there is going to be a shooting.”
“That’s an assumption on your part. I didn’t say I was there.”
“Were you there?”
I nodded.
“Are you ready to make a statement?”
I shrugged.
“I guess it’s the only way I can get the truth into print.”
Mr. Starnes frowned at that, but Tom was grinning.
“Last night, at about eight forty, I entered the Gold Dust Saloon and Casino in North Fork to make an arrest of the fugitives who had escaped from the County Jail on Saturday night.”
He typed furiously for a minute or so, and then he held up his hand.
“Wait a moment. Were you alone?”
“I was the only lawman on the scene. Sheriff Tommy Turner refused to offer any assistance. Bob Logan offered his assistance though, so no, I wasn’t alone.”
“Mr. Logan is a Sheriff’s deputy.”
“He was. He’d resigned his position prior to my going up to North Fork.”
Starnes raised his eyebrows at the news. He dug out a stub of pencil and wrote something on the page he was typing on. He began typing away again. After a moment, he read over what he’d written so far.
“So, it would seem you and Mr. Logan entered the Gold Dust together.”
Actually, I went in through the front doors and Bob came in through the back.”
Mr. Starnes nodded and thought for a moment.
“OK, then what happened?”
“Upon entering the building I announced I was the Sheriff and I was there to make an arrest.”
Starnes made a motion to urge me to continue.
“Well, there were several desperados in the building. There was “Point Blank” Peterson, Wes Spradlin, Martin Pogue, Zach Sherman and Smiley Burnett, among others.”
“Hold on. Spell those names for me.”
I spelled them out, one by one.
“Right, then what happened?”
“It seems Peterson and Spradlin had a long standing feud. They were half-brothers you know. Anyway, they squared off and one of them went for his gun and as soon as they moved, guns started coming out all around the room. It was just bad timing on my part. I had no idea I was going to walk into a gunfight.”
Starnes typed furiously for a moment.
“Then what happened?”
“There was a great deal of gunfire. All of the gentlemen I listed were killed in the fighting, as were Henry and Harvey Thorndyke, the men I was hoping to arrest.”
Mr Starnes stared at me with a shocked look on his face.
“Are you saying you and Bob Logan killed seven men in a gunfight?”
“I’m saying that when I attempted to arrest the fugitives, several men pulled guns and began firing on me and Bob. A gun fight ensued in which eight men lost their lives. I would point out six of those men were wanted, desperate and had a price on their heads.”
“Eight, you only listed seven.”
“Sorry, the bartender was killed as well. I didn’t get his name. He attempted to shoot us with a sawed off shotgun. Wes Spradlin killed him. The thing between Peterson and Spradlin was what started all the shooting in the first place.”
The newspaper man blinked several times, and then began typing again, more slowly this time. He stopped and read over what he’d written again.
“Let me see if I have this down correctly. You and Bob Logan walked into the Gold Dust last night to arrest the Thorndykes, and right when you walked in, Andrew Peterson and Wes Spradlin drew their guns and began shooting at each other. That prompted other men to draw their guns and fire at you. In the ensuing gun battle all of the outlaws were killed and you walked away without a scratch?”
“Well, actually I was wounded. Thank you for asking.”
“Were there any witnesses to this gunfight?” Starnes asked, skeptically.
“Oh yes, at least twenty witnesses and there is an affidavit attesting to those facts filed of record in the courthouse.”
“Sheriff, this is some story. I’ll have to read the affidavit and interview some witnesses, but I’ll have this out on the wire to every newspaper in the country. They eat this stuff up back east. My name will be published with the story wherever it gets printed!”
I hadn’t thought it through. I never considered that other newspapers would pick up the story. I’d overlooked the obvious.
“I know for a fact, the governor asked you to clean up North Fork. Several people have told me you went up there and issued an ultimatum. The next thing we know, you walk into a saloon and a bunch of people get killed. This is sensational. You’ll be the most famous lawman in the country; Wyatt Earp won’t have anything on you.”
“Now hold on a minute. I never intended to shoot anybody and it’s a miracle Bob and I lived through it.”
Where is Mr. Logan? I’ll need to interview him as well,” Starnes said, as he jumped up from behind his desk. He was still wearing his green visor.
“Bob is over at the courthouse.”
Starnes grabbed a notepad and raced out of the building in his shirt sleeves with the sleeve garters on.
I felt bad about sending the newspaper man after Bob, but I needed a moment to think about what I’d done.
I looked over at Tom where he was seated in a chair by the door.
He just shook his head.
“I think you’ve put your foot in it now,” he said.
“I know, Tom. This is what I get for trying to be clever. Another thing…you were right. It was a foolish notion Bob and I could arrest the Thorndykes in North Fork without any shooting. You told me, but I underestimated the consequences. I felt like I needed to get the situation under control and I rushed i
nto it. The whole thing has blown up in my face and people are dead because of me.”
He was thoughtful for a moment.
“In the whole big scheme of things, John, I believe you are being a little hard on yourself. You’ve done the county a service. Bob told me he was watching your house because the Thorndykes meant to kill you the first chance they got. You are a bit headstrong. It’s just not in your nature to wait or try to figure out the safest way to do something. But, it’s over now and we’ll just move on from here.”
I wished he was right, but I knew better.
“But it’s not over, Homer Thorndyke is still out there somewhere. Every sensation seeker in the country is going to want to come to Bear Creek and North Fork to see me and see where the shootout happened. I wanted to help Wes disappear and start a new life in an obscure corner of the world. Now he’ll have to go somewhere else or hide out till the storm blows over.”
41.
By the middle of the afternoon I’d done all I could do. Tom and I found Bob strolling down the street with Lacey Courtney on his arm. Bob seemed quite pleased with himself. No doubt the newspaper interview had given him opportunity to be a big man in Lacey’s eyes.
Lacey was in town to do some shopping. She was dressed in a sky blue outfit, a matching jacket and skirt with a nautical theme, sort of like a sailor’s uniform. She even had a stylized sailor’s cap with long blue ribbons hanging down the back. The outfit was stylish and frivolous all at the same time. Perfect for Lacey. It reminded me of how immature she really was.
***
On the ride down to the house I opened up the subject of Bob’s relationship with Lacey.
“Are your intentions toward her entirely honorable, Bob?”
He grinned and gave me a wink.
“Well no, perhaps my intentions could not be characterized as entirely honorable. After all she is a high-spirited filly and she is ready to be broken in.”
“Bob, I’m going to pretend you did not just say that.”
“Oh, now, don’t take on so. I know you don’t approve of my attitude. I’m merely observing a natural fact. I have no intention of doing anything inappropriate.”
“I’m glad to hear it. She’s practically engaged to Glen Corbett.”
“Everyone seems to think so, but the young lady in question is in fact quite available.”
“She’ll make a fine wife for someone, Bob, but if you’ll pardon my saying so—you ain’t the man.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. She is beautiful and wealthy. Her family owns the largest ranch in the county. I could see myself ensconced as lord of the manner.”
I snorted at that.
“What, you don’t think I could settle down and become a part of the landed gentry?”
“Bob, you never stay in any one place for very long. You spend more money than you make, and you are very fond of charming your way into the hearts and the pant. . . uh. My point is you love the ladies, Bob.”
He nodded.
“All too true I fear.”
“You would also have a very hard time trying to win over her father. As you are no doubt aware, Bill Courtney is no fool. He’s hoping Lacey will marry Glen Corbett. If you were to marry Lacey, I expect Bill Courtney would cut you off and her right along with you.
Glen is the kind of man who sticks through thick and thin. He’s a builder, Bob. The kind of man a woman needs. Glen is as solid as a rock. You, my friend, are more like a tumbleweed.
“Ah, you’ve wounded me. I prefer to think of myself as a man of the world. A bon vivant, if you will. You paint me as being more of a rascal, I think.”
“Bob, if you keep this thing going with Lacey, Glen will try to take you on. We both know he’s no match for you in any fight, especially a gunfight. Lacey may find you dangerous and exciting, perhaps charming, but she’s really in love with Glen. If you kill him or even injure him, she would never forgive you.”
He gave that some thought.
“Oh, here’s something else to consider—I think I may have made a huge error, and my mistake is going to make you famous.”
He glanced at me in curiosity.
“I told the Bear Creek Banner the entire story of the shooting up at North Fork. I didn’t think it through, and I failed to realize all of the implications.
Bob, your name and mine will be in every newspaper in the country. Everywhere you go, your name will be known. I’m sorry.”
After taking a moment to absorb the news, Bob grinned.
“Ah, well, notoriety has both positive and negative implications for my business ventures. It means I will command a higher price for my services in certain capacities.”
“You mean you’re not upset?”
“No, I’m not, not on the whole.”
“But I know you need to be able to travel without people knowing who you are.”
Bob nodded.
“True, but you are no doubt aware that when I’m hunting someone, I seldom use my real name. I prefer to remain anonymous. I can still do that, as few people outside of Bear Creek have seen my face and known my name, all at the same time.”
“Still, I’m sorry.”
“Oh, don’t trouble yourself about it. I expect being famous could have some real benefits. I imagine some of the ladies would enjoy spending some time with a famous and daring adventurer such as me. Being famous will open certain doors which might otherwise have remained closed,” he winked.
I just shook my head.
***
Bob dropped me off at the house, and then he left to take the horse and buggy back to the parsonage.
I noticed the kids were not playing in the yard. I limped up the stairs and onto the porch. I looked around at the house and yard and reflected for a moment on how beautiful it was here and how nice it was to come home to peace and quiet. Once in the house, I heard noises coming from the kitchen and I could smell fresh bread baking, so I wandered in there, finding Consuela working away on supper preparations.
"Buenos tardes, Consuela. ¿Dónde está mi familia?"
“Hola, jefe. Un hombre joven condujo a la ciudad."
"¿Venga, sí? ¿Quién es el joven?”
“Es una nueva frontera. Tuvo que regresar a la ciudad para obtener sus cosas, así que conducía a la señora allí así que ella podría conseguir algunas cosas que necesito para la cena.”
It seems we had a new boarder, a young man who had gone back to town to get his things and had driven my wife and the children into town to get something for Consuela at the store. It was more information than I’d asked for, but Consuela loves to talk.
"¿Cuándo espera les volver?"
“En cualquier momento ahora. Creo que él Estacione su carro aquí. ¿Qué hará con su caballo?
“I don’t know where he’ll put his horse. I imagine he’ll put it out in the pasture with our carriage horses. If he leaves the horse and buggy at the livery stable, he’ll have to walk back here.” I was tired of speaking Spanish.
Consuela shrugged.
“I think you will like the stew, maybe,” she said.
I went over to look in the pot, but she threatened me with a big knife.
Being easily frightened, I backed off.
“Is there any coffee?”
“Oh, sí. I mean yes, sir. Tráemelo su copa aquí.”
I grabbed my favorite coffee mug, and she filled it for me. I wandered into the parlor and sat down to read the newspaper. A man came down the stairs I recognized as the other new boarder. He was the furniture and appliance salesman from Iowa, Tony Morgan.
“Howdy, Mr. Morgan, are you making any progress?”
“Good evening, Sheriff Sage. Yes. I have. Today I purchased a building lot only two blocks off the square. I’m going to build a brand new store. I’ll sell furniture and appliances on the first floor. On the second floor, I’ll sell housewares, linens, and sundries. The idea is to have a store right here in town where you can get everything you need for your home. I’ll st
ock all the finest, most modern products on the market.”
“That’s pretty much what the general store does, isn’t it?”
“The general store stocks a greater variety of items, but far fewer of them and a very limited selection. For example, the general store might have one or two sets of china dishes. I’ll have half a dozen patterns to choose from. The general store will also sell shoes and candy, shotgun shells and tobacco, canned goods and kerosene. I won’t be selling any of that; just things for the homemaker. The general store will show you things you can order from a catalogue. I’ll have them in stock. You can buy it right here and take it home the same day. Folks won’t have to allow six weeks for delivery, like they would if they bought it out of a catalog.”
“It seems you’ve thought it through. What will you call your store?”
“It will be known as Morgan’s Furniture and Appliance Emporium. It will be the place to get an icebox, a rug, an entire set of furniture, a wash board, a sewing machine, or all of them at the same time and in the same place.”
I heard the sound of a buggy outside and figured Lora and the kids had come home.
“Well, that sounds fine, Mr. Morgan. I wish you well.”
42.
When Lora and the kids came in, Lora was carrying a bag with fresh carrot tops sticking out of it. I took the bag as I kissed her. The kids giggled. I made a fierce face at them. They giggled some more.
“I have to apologize for my husband, Mr. Morgan. As you know he’s the County Sheriff, and he tends to forget his manners.”
Mr. Morgan didn’t seem to understand how I’d displayed my bad manners. I didn’t understand either.
“John, you look like you are ready to go to war. Do you really need to wear all those guns in the house?” Lora asked.
I’d taken off my hat and jacket when I came in, but I still wore my gun belt and my shoulder holster.
“No ma’am. I’ll shuck out of them just as soon as I take this stuff into the kitchen.”
I dropped off the bag of celery, carrots, and onions with Consuela. Lora and Consuela had used up most of what they had grown in the garden. They’d canned a bunch of produce, but preferred to use fresh vegetables whenever possible. With fall closing in, Lora’s garden now had mostly just green beans, squash, and tomatoes.